Air France staff protest over new Islamic headscarf dress code

Paris, April 4: The female staff members of Air France are furious after the airline told them to put on headscarves before landing in Iran.

To this, the staff members protested saying that this was curbing their personal freedom. In an internal email, Air France said female crew members were asked to wear pants during the flight and put on "loose-fitting jacket and headscarf" before disembarking from the plane.

Union leader Françoise Redolfi told RFI radio said,"They are forcing us to wear an ostentatious religious symbol. We have to let the girls choose what they want to wear. Those that don't want to must be able to say they don't want to work on those flights. Many female members of flight crews have told us that it's out of the question they be obliged to wear headscarves.

Meanwhile, the flight officials have said that they were not behind the decision and it was a norm in the country that all women have to wear headscarf. Meanwhile to calm the angry staff members, officials have hinted at penalties for those who are refusing to wear it.

In a statement, Air France said: "Iranian law requires the wearing of a veil covering the hair in public places for all women present on its territory. This obligation is not required during the flight and is respected by all international airlines serving the Iranian Republic."

In lieu of the crippling bilateral relations between France and Iran, all flights had been suspended. However, they will resume soon thrice a day April 17 onwards.

OneIndia News